Gas can plastic nozzle slipped down into fuel tank!

[jff]

Here's one I have never heard of ... I had a couple of extra gallons of diesel in a small portable fuel tank and figured I would put them into my boat so they would get used (before too much time went by). As I was putting the fuel in the plastic nozzle on the end of the tank literally slipped off and went straight down the fuel pipe, presumably into my tank. We're going to disconnect the fuel hose at the tank side tomorrow just in case it's in the hose (there is a slight curve from where you put the fuel in to where it enters the tank so maybe it's in the hose - but I doubt it), unfortunately I have a feeling it's probably in the tank. Assuming so, anyone have any experience with anything like this? Would/will it likely cause problems? I'm thinking it would probably float, but even if if sinks I'm not sure what the worst thing is that could happen - perhaps it could clog the fuel flow going out of the tank or get caught in the sender somehow? Any simple/clever suggestions on getting it out assuming it's in the tank and not the hose? Or am I stuck with it in the tank forever unless/until a problem happens (and if so what are the odds of it causing a problem)?

Regards,
Jason

 

[Nehalennia]

That's a tricky one. A boroscope will allow you to see down your fill tube. If you are lucky and it's in the fill tube, you can just roll a hook onto a long thin rod (like used for a commercial dropped ceiliing) and fish it out. If not and it's in the tank that will be more difficult obviously. I don't know enough about the access panels to your tank, if there are any and where you will find them, but I would try to get it out.

 

[fwebster]

This one happened to another CSR member last year. We tried to use a vacuum and a hooked wire to retrieve the plastic end, and then removed the hose from the tank and discovered that the plastic end already made its way into the tank.

There is the remote possibility that the plastic could block the pick up tube, but it is remote and has not happened yet.

The last option we discussed was to pump the fuel out of the tank and remove the fuel sending unit then fish the plastic end out of the tank. The owner decided not to try because of the cost. It is a last resort and may prove necessary in the future, but so far the boat is running fine.

If t he tube makes it into the tank, just hope it falls into an area separated from the fuel pick up by a tank baffle.

 

[tobnpr]

Most tanks have a 90 degree fill to maximize capacity under the deck. Yours is a straight fill?

 

[SR400DB]

Different application, but I have a 14 year old tractor with the plastic nozzle in the tank. (Fell in the same as yours) I use this machine everyday and have not had an issue yet. Hope yours turns out to be an easy fix or at least not cause you any issues.

 

[OldSkool]

Different application, but I have a 14 year old tractor with the plastic nozzle in the tank. (Fell in the same as yours) I use this machine everyday and have not had an issue yet. Hope yours turns out to be an easy fix or at least not cause you any issues.

Depends on the material in the nozzle. When I was a field service technician I was called out on a tractor that would not run. After checking the fuel filters I found white string like material inside the filters also found the same material in every elbow fitting on the tractor. After pulling the tank I discovered 2 plastic filler necks in the tank. One had been there a while and was starting to separate like string cheese.

It's always worth the time to correct a problem before it leaves you stranded.